The ability to set a fast lap time without taking all day to work up to it is very important regardless of the type of racing you do. The following tips will help you get the most out of your day at the track, whether it be for qualifying, or getting the most out of a limited amount of track time.

Visualize

If you’re racing at an established track or have access to the track layout ahead of time, study it for as long as possible leading up to race day. Many professional racers study a track for weeks leading up to a race and will begin thinking about the next race immediately after the end of a previous one. With enough mental preparation, you can be fast on your first lap which is important as this is when track conditions are best.

Consider your Tires

Do some research on what other racers in your category are running for tires on their cars, and be sure to put an emphasis on tire pressures as well. The fastest racers typically run pressures lower than the manufacturer’s suggested psi, but if you’re able to test your tires with a pyrometer beforehand, you will have valuable information to take into race day.

Verify your Alignment

Just like tire pressures, your alignment is a seemingly insignificant thing that can have a huge impact on how your car behaves, and thus your lap times. Your car’s alignment should be checked and adjusted before each event.

Prepare for your Hot Lap

Take the first lap to familiarize yourself with where you want to be on the track before your flying lap. This also gives your tires time to come up to temperature before really going for it.

When preparing for a track day and driving your fastest, even the smallest detail matters. If you’re looking to improve your driving skills even further, or put your skills to the test, join us for a track day or one of our driver’s education classes! Call us today at (407) 804-0892 with any questions.